Increasing Maximum HP rating

[brian_in_pa]

Hello,

I have a 2007 Tracker 1432 (14 foot, 32 inches) jon boat that is rated for a maximum of 6 hp. I also have 1971 Sears 12 foot row boat that is rated for 9 hp maximum. I only have one motor (Mercury 7.5hp) I am trying to decide which boat to sell. I like the jon boat for stability and room, but I am hung up on the hp rating. Is there something I can do to increase the hp rating of the boat?

I am retired Navy aircraft mechanic so the work does not worry me: my only concern is would it be legal? Also which boat would you keep. I use a boat mostly in small lakes (no wake zones), large ponds (trolling motor only), or rivers.

Thanks for your time.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

The HP rating is determined by the manufacturer, and you're kind of stuck with it, no matter what you do.
Legality is determined by your state law; some states enforce the HP limit and some don't.
An insurance company will screw you in any circumstance if they can find a way to weasel out of paying (like overpowering a boat).

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

If your jon boat has a 15 inch transom, you could try raising the transom height to 20 inches since hp ratings are figured on hull type, length, width at transom, and transom height. So if all other things remain equal, raising the transom should gain a slightly higher rating. Then, ask your state to issue a capacity plate, saying the old one was lost. However, this may work against you as some states are very conservative on ratings.

Or, try adding remote steering. Hulls with remote steering usually have a slightly higher HP rating than the same hull without.

But basically, that's about it--unless you want to go the different engine hood route. six to seven and one half sounds like a lot--25 % but with engines that small, you should not see a great amount of speed change or detrimental handling.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

I'm not condoning overpowering a boat, but I can't imagine ever being scared to put a 7.5 hp motor on a 14' Tracker jon boat.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

My personal opinion is that your main issues are safety and insurance coverage. Maybe legality too. My opinion is that safety is not an issue at all, but you'd be a better judge of that.

For insurance and legality, look up the standard USCG formula for determining HP rating based on dimensions (it's on line somewhere and has been posted here from time to time). Work that formula for your boat. You might find that the formula gives you a higher HP than the capacity plate rating. Frankly, for a 14 ft. jon boat, I'd expect something like 10-15 hp. If that is so, next time you look at your boat, you might find that it does not have a capacity plate, or it is unreadable - it is old, you never know what might happen. Things get badly marred and damaged in the course of boating.

Or, you might check the manufacturer's website and see if they have current HP ratings for various dimension hulls to see if the current rating is more advantageous. If so, you might contact them for a replacement capactiy plate if yours is no longer in place.

Then, I'd contact the insurance company and inform them that you don't know what the capacity is, but you ahve the boat's dimensions, the HP rating according to USCG (or the mfgr recommended) and ask them to insure that boat+motor package (for liability, for example). Then, contact your state office that governs boat license and tell them the same stuff and ask them how to procede for legality purposes (i.e. do you actually need a capacity plate?).

To me, this is entirely ethical if the USCG formula and/or the mfgr current rating is higher than original. But that's just my opinion!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

if you have a short shaft motor, raising the transom, would only create more problems. the rest has been said.

 

[JB]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

Keep the Sears boat. Sell the Tracker.

A 14' boat that is only safe with 6HP or less scares me.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

Little narrow jon boats scare me, whatever the horsepower. If your other boat is a little V-bottomed boat, I'd keep it and dump the jon boat. I like jon boats, but not those skinny little ones.

 

[brian_in_pa]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

Thanks to all for the in-put. I have had the 7.5 motor on the jon boat and am not worried about overpowering: just the legal side. I am leaning towards the v-bottomed row boat but wanted other opinions. Thanks again.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

Thanks to all for the in-put. I have had the 7.5 motor on the jon boat and am not worried about overpowering: just the legal side. I am leaning towards the v-bottomed row boat but wanted other opinions. Thanks again.

Why don't you call your state office- chances are there's no legal side, and if there is, it undoubtedly varies from state to state. I don't believe my state has any laws about engine capacity. But I do know it is relevant to my insurance company. Myself, I'd be more concerned that my insurance company would cover me for liability if I had an accident with the boat - they might not if it's "overpowered".

 

[mattmjm90]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

My 12' Sears Gamefisher says 15hp is the max?

 

[Vert1go]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

My 12' Sears Gamefisher says 15hp is the max?

Yours wouldn't be a Jon boat then. The Jons are rated much lower than V-boats.

 

[mattmjm90]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

Yours wouldn't be a Jon boat then. The Jons are rated much lower than V-boats.

His Sears shouldn't be a Jon boat either since it has a some V to it.

 

[109jb]

Re: Increasing Maximum HP rating

His Sears shouldn't be a Jon boat either since it has a some V to it.

His Sears isn't a jon boat. His Tracker is a jon boat. This was stated in the first post.

As for which one to keep, if you want to use the motor you have, just keep the Sears v-boat. As was stated before, the hp rating is determined by manufacturer and I doubt you can get it changed since you are not the manufacturer.